Collapsible spool



March 27, 1951 E. o. BEAUREGARD COLLAPSIBLE SPOOL Filed Aug. 20, 1945 R. w A m m 7 d f 9 /d v m w n mu m m E 3 MII N 0 ,m/ m Z J 4 l' 0 l M Q 4 .fm/AMM. x j 9. /m W7 1 m W w 0/ Z ,l Z J F- ill# zz/ym@ 0 Beaz/reyam/ ATTE] R N EYS Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a spool construction, and more especially to a collapsible spool.

'I'he primary object of the invention is the provision of a spool of this character, wherein thread wound thereon can be readily and easily removed therefrom, that is to say, when such thread that fails to become woven into cloth, there being thousands of threads used in warps when weaving cloth, and a number of these that do not become woven and they become a problem and are usually run over hooks and onto a spool that is not collapsible, and when the latter is full it requires the use of a knife for the cutting thereof, which is dangerous and a much hated job to an operator, thus the collapsible spool relieves this being done.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a spool of this character, wherein the end heads are readily released from the arbor thereof, and this is had in a novel manner, it being unique, so that the thread on the spool can be removed with ease and dispatch and without cutting operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a spool of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, strong, durable, readily and easily collapsed. and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the spool constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an exploded sectional view following the section line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the spool constructed in accordance with the invention comprises, a tubular winding and unwinding arbor I0, which at opposite ends is formed with external screw threads II for the detachable fastening of disk-like end heads I2 thereto, the arbor I between the threaded ends II being formed longitudinally therein with a slot I3 for a locking key I4 to effect the detachable securing of the head on the arbor.

The heads I2, at their innermost faces, have formed therewith inwardly tapered center hub areas I 5, while provided in the key I4 at opposite ends are inwardly directed substantially triangular shaped keeper notches forming latching seats I6, conforming to the shape of the hub areas I5 for receiving the same. This key I4 floats through the slot I3 to automatically. engage the hub areas I5 when the heads are screwed onto the arbor I0, to frictionally bind upon the said heads for holding these in place thereon, yet permitting detachment thereof for the collapsing of the spool, to allow for easy removal of wound threads thereon.

An ear element I 'I extends longitudinally of the key I4 at each outer end thereof, and these elements I'I engage the arbor I0 to limit radial movement of the key by the disk-like heads I2.

What is claimed is:

A collapsible spool comprising a tubular arbor member, externally-threaded portions on the ends of said arbor member, a radial slot in said member extending lengthwise thereof to vsaid threaded portions, disk heads threadedly mounted on said threaded portions, a frusto-conical hub portion extending from each disk head inwardly towards one another, a key slidably mounted in said slot for movement radially of said arbor member axis, said key extending substantially the length of said slot and having its end portions tapered inwardly both radially and axially toward said arbor member axis, the inwardly tapered surfaces of the frusto-conical hubs of said disk heads engaging said tapered end portions whereby rotary movement of said disk heads on said arbor member relative thereto will force said key radially outwardly through said slot, a pair of ear. elements extending longitudinally outwardly of said key from the inner tapered ends thereof and adapted to engage said arbor member to limit radial movement of said key by said disk heads.

EUGENE O. BEAUREGARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 548,442 Hutchins Oct. 22, 1895 1,710,902 Stachowski Apr. 30, 1929 1,901,226 Carter Mar. 14, 1933 1,928,979 Levison Oct. 3, 1933 

